By Larry West

Holidays are some of the loneliest times for those who are incarcerated. Many feel so despondent that they contemplate suicide. Chaplain's counseling hours become crowded and the psychologists and psychiatrists are also busier.

Chaplains generally try to make seasonal greeting cards available during this time of year. Then, when the inmates think about family, friends or loved ones with the celebrations and happiness at home, perhaps their thoughts will be elevated as they realize that they can at least be a part by sending a card. Our hope is that they will come to a resolve not to do the same thing, or others, which brought them here in the first place.

Most chaplains have to try to find avenues for obtaining greeting cards. Depending upon how many they can obtain will determine how many they can give to each inmate who wishes to get some. Usually the need far exceeds the requests.

I have never heard so many inmates express their thanks or say "God bless you” as at the times we distribute these cards. Their joy and thankfulness is quite readily apparent. So also is their disappointment when we run out and have no more to give.

Our first distribution is at the conclusion of services so that we can give them to those who at least manifest an interest in learning more about the Lord. I arrange to pass out those which are not religious in nature and in my sermons and Bible class lessons have explained to them that the scriptures do not teach the celebration of Christmas as a religious holiday.

By giving these cards, it provides an avenue of generating a feeling of appreciation which will often lead to being able to talk or study with some of the men further. It helps to create a better attitude toward me and the services and Bible classes which I conduct. As I walk across the yard or through the buildings, men shout out greetings, wish me a "good morning" or "good evening" and often say "God bless you". Many stop me to thank me for comforting them when they have lost a loved one or to ask a Bible question. One of the men recently said that I was about the coolest dude in the whole place. I took that as a complement. Another said that when he went before the classification committee he told them that one of the best things that had happened to him since he came to Folsom was meeting chaplain West.

I have said the above not to toot my own horn so to speak, but rather to give my thanks to those Christians who also help with the work which I do. It would be much more difficult to establish some of the contacts with these men if it were not for the materials, cards, Bible correspondence courses, communion supplies, and prayers of my Christian family on the outside.

May I encourage each Christian to pray for those who are in prison. Look for ways to send sound scriptural materials inside. Most chaplains will probably welcome your interest.